Rigid cigarette packet

ABSTRACT

A rigid cigarette packet ( 1 ), in the form of a right parallelepiped and extending along an axis (Z), has a container ( 4 ), and a lid ( 5 ) hinged to the container ( 4 ) along a hinge ( 6 ) so as to move between a closed position and an open position in which the lid ( 5 ) permits access to a compartment ( 14 ), housing cigarettes ( 2 ), through an opening ( 15 ) in the container ( 4 ), which has a front wall ( 9 ), a rear wall ( 10 ), two lateral walls ( 11 ), a bottom wall ( 12 ), and a top wall ( 13 ); the opening ( 15 ) extends along the front wall ( 9 ), between the hinge ( 6 ) on the front wall ( 9 ) and a free edge ( 18 ) of the front wall ( 9 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a rigid cigarette packet.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A conventional rigid cigarette packet is normally in the form ofa right parallelepiped extending along a longitudinal axis andcomprising a cup-shaped container having a front wall, a rear wall, twolateral walls and a bottom wall; and a cup-shaped lid which, like thecontainer, has a front wall, a rear wall, two lateral walls and a topwall, and is hinged to the container by a hinge between the rear wall ofthe container and the rear wall of the lid.

[0003] The above type of packet is commonly known as a rigid hinged-lidpacket, and is formed from a rigid cardboard blank comprising preformedfold lines, along which it is folded to form the packet. The packet ofcigarettes is subsequently wrapped in a sheet of overwrapping materialfor sealing the packet and maintaining the right degree of humidity ofthe cigarettes.

[0004] The above rigid packet has been marketed successfully for manyyears, during which, several variations have been designed to make itmore practical and improve folding of the blank when forming the packet.A rigid hinged-lid packet and its many variations, however, all share acommon drawback closely related to the structure of the packet. Morespecifically, when the lid is turned about the hinge, a rigid hinged-lidpacket has an opening which substantially corresponds to a section ofthe packet crosswise to the longitudinal axis, and through which thecigarettes project from the container to be gripped by the user.

[0005] The cigarettes are normally oriented with the filters facing thelid, so that the filter must be gripped by the user to withdraw acigarette from the container. Gripping the cigarette, however, by thefilter, which is then placed in the mouth, poses problems of hygiene,which could be solved by inverting the cigarettes, i.e. with the filtersfacing the bottom wall of the container, so that the plain ends of thecigarettes project from the top end of the container. Though morehygienic, inverting the cigarettes inside a rigid hinged-lid packetmeans the cigarettes must be gripped by the plain ends, thus resultingin tobacco fallout from the ends of the cigarettes. Moreover, the cupshape of the container and the lid makes it difficult to seal betweenthe lid and the container to prevent deterioration of the cigarettes inthe event of accidental tearing of the overwrapping.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a rigidcigarette packet designed to eliminate the drawbacks of the known stateof the art in a straightforward, practical manner.

[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided a rigidcigarette packet substantially in the form of a right parallelepiped,extending along an axis, and comprising a container and a lid hinged tosaid container along a hinge; the container comprising four wallsparallel to the axis and forming a loop, a bottom wall crosswise to theaxis, an inner compartment for housing cigarettes, and an opening foraccess to the compartment; at least one of the walls parallel to theaxis comprising a free edge; the opening extending between the hinge andsaid free edge; and the packet being characterized in that saidcontainer comprises a top wall crosswise to said axis; said hingeextending on the wall parallel to the axis and comprising said freeedge.

[0008] According to the present invention, the opening of the container,as opposed to corresponding to an end section of the packet, is locatedalong a wall parallel to the axis and may therefore be located at acentral portion of the container and not necessarily at one end of thecontainer, as in the case of a hinged cup-shaped lid. Moreover, asopposed to the five-walled container of conventional packets with ahinged cup-shaped lid, the packet according to the present invention hasthe advantage of having a six-walled container, which makes the packetmuch stronger than conventional hinged-lid packets, particularly whenthe lid is left open.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thepacket comprises a removable lid over said hinged lid, which acts as asupport for graphics and/or advertising.

[0010] Such an embodiment enables application to the hinged lid ofadvertising, competitions or similar, which are currently forbidden bylaw on the outer surface of the packet, and which must be insertedinside the packet in the form of coupons, thus complicating manufactureof the packet.

[0011] According to a further preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the removable lid is connected to the front wall and thelateral walls of the container along continuous tear lines forming anendless path.

[0012] The above further preferred embodiment of the invention providesfor obtaining a hermetically sealed packet with no need to wrap thepacket in a sheet of overwrapping material.

[0013] It is a further object of the present invention to provide ablank from which to form the packet according to the present inventionin a straightforward, low-cost manner.

[0014] According to the present invention, there is provided a flatblank of cardboard from which to form a rigid cigarette packetcomprising a container, a hinged lid, and a removable lid over thehinged lid; the blank comprising first panels for forming saidcontainer, second panels for forming said hinged lid, and third panelsfor forming said removable lid; said third panels being separated fromsaid first panels by continuous tear lines forming an endless path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] A number of non-limiting embodiments of the present inventionwill be described by way of example with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 shows a view in perspective of a rigid cigarette packet inaccordance with the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 shows a partly exploded view in perspective of the FIG. 1packet;

[0018]FIG. 3 shows a view in perspective of the FIG. 1 packet in theopen position and with part of the packet removed;

[0019]FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the FIG. 1 packet along lineIV-IV;

[0020]FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the FIG. 3 packet along line V-V;

[0021]FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a flat blank from which to form theFIG. 1 packet;

[0022]FIG. 7 shows a flat blank from which to form a collar for the FIG.1 packet;

[0023]FIG. 8 shows a view in perspective of a first variation of theFIG. 1 packet;

[0024]FIG. 9 shows a plan view of a flat blank from which to form thefirst variation in FIG. 8;

[0025]FIG. 10 shows a view in perspective of a second variation of theFIG. 1 packet;

[0026]FIG. 11 shows a plan view of a flat blank from which to form thesecond variation in FIG. 10.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0027] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, number 1 indicates a rigidcigarette packet in the form of a right parallelepiped and extendingalong a longitudinal axis Z.

[0028] Packet 1 houses an orderly group of cigarettes 2 enclosed in awrapping 3, and comprises a container 4, a lid 5 hinged to container 4along a hinge 6, a lid 7 removable from container 4, and a collar 8inside container 4. Container 4, hinged lid 5, removable lid 7 andcollar 8 are made of rigid cardboard, while wrapping 3 is made of sheetmaterial, normally foil.

[0029] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, container 4 comprises a frontwall 9 parallel to axis Z; a rear wall 10 parallel to and facing frontwall 9; two lateral walls 11 facing and parallel to axis Z andperpendicular to walls 9 and 10; a bottom wall 12 perpendicular to axisZ; and a top wall 13 facing and parallel to bottom wall 12.

[0030] As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, container 4 is in the form of aright parallelepiped, and comprises a compartment 14 for housingcigarettes 2; and an opening 15 formed along front wall 9 and lateralwalls 11, and permitting access to compartment 14. In other words, thecontainer comprises four walls 9, 10, 11 parallel to the axis andforming a loop; and opening 15 extends along at least one of the wallsparallel to axis Z.

[0031] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, front wall 9 comprises abottom portion 16 extending between bottom wall 12 and hinge 6; and atop portion 17 extending between top wall 13 and a bottom edge 18parallel to hinge 6. Each lateral wall 11 defines a straight edge 19adjacent to hinge 6 and parallel to axis Z; and a curved edge 20 betweenedge 18 and edge 19. Hinge 6 and edge 18 define opening 15 in adirection parallel to axis Z; and edges 19 and 20 define opening 15 indirections perpendicular to axis Z.

[0032] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, removable lid 7 comprises acentral wall 21, and two lateral walls 22 perpendicular to central wall21. Before being detached from container 4, removable lid 7 is integralwith container 4, is integral with front wall 9 and lateral walls 11,and is located over lid 5. More specifically, central wall 21 isconnected to portions 16 and 17 along respective tear lines 23 and 24,and to lateral walls 11 along respective straight tear lines 25, whilelateral walls 22 are connected to respective lateral walls 11 byrespective curved tear lines 26. Tear lines 23, 24, 25 and 26 define anendless path along the outer surface of packet 1, and are formed bycutting the cardboard so that, when pull is exerted between container 4and lid 7, lid 7 is detached from container. 4 along said endless path.

[0033] Hinged lid 5, when closed, closes the whole of opening 15, andcomprises a central wall 27, which, in the closed position shown in FIG.2, extends, parallel to axis Z, from hinge 6 to edge 18; and two lateralwalls 28, which, in the closed position shown in FIG. 2, extend, beneathlateral walls 11, from bottom wall 12 up to edge 18, and areperpendicular to central wall 27. Each lateral wall 28 has an appendix29, which is not adjacent to central wall 27 and projects towards bottomwall 12; and central wall 27 has an outer face F bearing advertisingand/or graphics S which are exposed when removable lid 7 is removed.

[0034] Collar 8 is located inside compartment 14, between wrapping 3 andcontainer 4, and comprises a central wall 30, and two lateral walls 31perpendicular to central wall 30, which projects partly from portion 16at hinge 6 and extends just short of bottom wall 12. Each lateral wall31 extends parallel to a respective lateral wall 11 of container 4, frombottom wall 12 up to curved edge 20; and each appendix 29 of hinged lid5 is located between a respective lateral wall 11 of container 4 and alateral wall 31 of collar 8, which provide for guiding the appendix whenopening and closing hinged lid 5.

[0035] Wrapping 3 comprises a removable so-called pull-off portion 32connected to the rest of wrapping 3 by a prepunched line, and which,when removed, exposes cigarettes 2 at opening 15. Removable portion 32extends from collar 8 up to part of wrapping 3 facing top wall 13, andextends laterally just short of rear wall 10.

[0036] With reference to FIG. 5, cigarettes 2 are arranged parallel toaxis Z inside compartment 14, and comprise respective filters 33 locatedat and a given distance from top wall 13 of packet 1. In other words,bottom wall 12 and top wall 13 are separated by a distance, along axisZ, greater than the length of cigarettes 2.

[0037] In a variation not shown, cigarettes 2 are arranged with filters33 at bottom wall 12.

[0038] In a further variation not shown, cigarettes 2 are arrangedparallel to hinge 6, and, combined with the packet 1 described, would beshorter than cigarettes 2 arranged parallel to axis Z. However, packet 1may be altered in size to house cigarettes arranged parallel to hinge 6and of the same length as cigarettes 2.

[0039] Number 34 in FIG. 6 indicates a flat cardboard blank extendingalong a longitudinal axis X of symmetry and comprising a number ofpanels described in detail later on. For the sake of simplicity, and torelate blank 34 clearly to packet 1, each panel corresponding to a wallof packet 1 is indicated using the same reference number as for thewall, plus a (′).

[0040] Blank 34 is substantially in the form of a rectangle elongated ina direction defined by axis X, and comprises two fold lines 35 parallelto and equidistant from axis X, and five lines 36, 37, 38, 39, 40perpendicular to axis X. Fold lines 35 define on blank 34 a centralstrip 41 of panels, and two lateral strips 42 of panels specularlysymmetrical with respect to axis X. Blank 34 is defined by an outer edgecomprising a straight side 43 extending perpendicular to axis X andacross the full width of blank 34; a straight side 44 opposite andparallel to side 43 and extending the full width of central strip 41;and two opposite sides 45. Each side 45 comprises a portion 46 parallelto axis X and extending from side 43 to fold line 37; a concave portion47 and a straight portion 48 which extend between fold lines 37 and 39;a segmented, generally convex portion 49 extending between lines 39 and40; and a straight portion 50 extending between edge 44 and fold line 40and forming a theoretical continuation of fold line 35. Blank 34 alsocomprises an edge 51 at each strip 42 and forming a theoreticalcontinuation of fold line 39.

[0041] Each lateral strip 42 is interrupted by a slit 52 coincident withfold line 36, and by a slit 53 coincident with fold line 39, and isseparated partly from central strip 41 by a slit 54 extending along foldline 35 from fold line 36 to fold line 37, and by a slit 55 extendingalong fold line 35 from fold line 38 to fold line 39.

[0042] In addition to the panels indicated (′), blank 34 also comprisespanels which are not visible from the outside of packet 1, even afterremoval of removable lid 7. Along central strip 41, such panels comprisea flap 56 defined by side 44, by fold line 40, and by portions 50; and apanel 57 defined by hinge 6, by fold line 39, and by slits 55. Eachlateral strip 42 comprises a tab 58 defined by fold line 38, by edge 51,by portion 48, and by slits 53 and 55; a tab 59 defined by portion 46,by fold line 37, and by slits 52 and 54; and a panel 60 defined by foldlines 37 and 38, by portions 47 and 48, and by fold line 35.

[0043] Blank 34 is precut to form tear lines 23, 24, 25, 26 and sodefine, between side 43 and fold line 36, a rectangular panel 21′, andtwo tabs 22′ separated from panel 21′ by fold lines 35.

[0044] Number 61 in FIG. 7 indicates a flat cardboard blank from whichto form collar 8, and which comprises an axis Y of symmetry, and twofold lines 62 parallel to axis Y and defining a central panel 30′corresponding to wall 30 of collar 8, and two panels 31′ located onopposite sides of central panel 30′ and corresponding to lateral walls31 of collar 8.

[0045] Packet 1 is formed from blanks 34 and 61 and from a group ofcigarettes 2 in a wrapping 3 as follows:

[0046] Flap 56 is folded 180° about fold line 40 and glued to panel 27′;the group of cigarettes 2 is placed on panel 10′ at fold line 38; panel30′ is placed on wrapping 3; and panels 31′ are folded squarely on towrapping 3 to form collar 8. At this point, tabs 58 and 59 are foldedroughly 90° about respective fold lines 38 and 37, and each panel 60 isfolded a given angle about respective fold line 35. Panels 28′ arefolded squarely about respective fold lines 35; panel 12′ is foldedsquarely about fold line 38; and panels 57 and 27′ are folded squarelyabout fold line 39 so that panels 28′ are positioned contacting wrapping3 and over tabs 31 of collar 8. Panel 13′ is folded squarely about foldline 37; and panels 16′, 17′, 21′, 11′ and 22′ are folded squarely withrespect to line 36 and over panels 27′ and 57. At this point, each panel11′ is folded squarely about respective fold line 35 and glued in knownmanner to panel 60; and tabs 58 and 59 are glued in known manner torespective panels 12′ and 13′.

[0047] Packet 1 is thus closed hermetically, so that no overwrapping isrequired.

[0048] In actual use, the user detaches removable lid 7 to expose theunderlying hinged lid 5, which is movable about hinge 6 to permit accessto inner compartment 14 of container 4 and to cigarettes 2 inside. Toprevent jamming, lateral walls 28 of the hinged lid are guided bylateral walls 11 of packet 1, and by lateral walls 31 of the collar.

[0049] Number 63 in FIG. 8 indicates a packet of cigarettes inaccordance with a first variation of packet 1. Packet 63 is abeveled-edge packet, and, like packet 1, comprises a container 4, aremovable lid 7, a hinged lid 5 (not shown in FIG. 8), and a collar 8(not shown in FIG. 8). Though the component parts of packet 63 describedabove differ in shape and/or size from the respective component parts ofpacket 1, similar component parts are indicated using the same referencenumbers as for packet 1 for the sake of simplicity. Front wall 9 andrear wall 10 are connected to lateral walls 11 by bevels 64 formingedges 65 between walls 9, 10 and 11. Each bevel 64 connecting front wall9 to a respective lateral wall comprises a bottom portion 66 adjacent tobottom portion 16 of front wall 9; and a top portion 67 adjacent to topportion 17 of front wall 9. Removable lid 7 comprises two bevels 68,which are coplanar with the two bevels 64 connecting front wall 9 tolateral walls 11, and connect central wall 21 of lid 7 to lateral walls22 of lid 7. Besides separating wall 21 from respective portions 16 and17, tear lines 23 and 24 extend across bevels 64 to separate bevels 68from respective bottom and top portions 66 and 67 of bevels 64; and tearlines 25 extend along edges 65 between lateral walls 11 and bevels 64.Hinged lid 5 and collar 8 (neither shown in FIG. 8) have bevels betweenrespective central walls 27 and 30 and respective lateral walls 28 and31.

[0050] Number 69 in FIG. 9 indicates a flat cardboard blank extendingalong a longitudinal axis X of symmetry and comprising a number ofpanels from which to form packet 63. For the sake of simplicity, and torelate blank 69 clearly to packet 63, each panel corresponding to a wallof packet 63 is indicated using the same reference number as for thewall, plus a (′), and the same reference numbers are used to indicateany parts similar to those of blank 34.

[0051] Blank 69 is substantially in the form of a rectangle elongated ina direction defined by axis X of symmetry, and comprises fold lines 70,each of which is parallel to axis X and located between a fold line 35and a side 45, so as to form, between line 35 and line 70, panels 64′,68′ and 71, which, once blank 69 is folded, define bevels 64 ofcontainer 4, bevels 68 of removable lid 7, and the bevels (not shown inFIG. 8) of hinged lid 5. Blank 69 differs from blank 34 by comprisingtwo slits 72 located at flap 56 and extending along a theoreticalcontinuation of lines 35 to separate flap 56 from two panels 73.

[0052] Number 74 in FIG. 10 indicates a packet of cigarettes inaccordance with a second variation of packet 1, and which, like packet1, comprises a container 4, a removable lid 7, a hinged lid 5 (not shownin FIG. 10), and a collar 8 (not shown in FIG. 10). Though the componentparts of packet 74 described above differ in shape and/or size from therespective component parts of packet 1, similar component parts areindicated using the same reference numbers as for packet 1 for the sakeof simplicity.

[0053] Front wall 9 and rear wall 10 of packet 74 have curved portions75 located at the lateral walls and which provide for connecting walls 9and 10 to lateral walls 11. Curved portions 75 of front wall 9 compriserespective bottom portions 76 adjacent to bottom portion 16 of frontwall 9, and respective top portions 77 adjacent to top portion 17 offront wall 9; and each curved portion 75 forms an edge 78 with therespective lateral wall 11. Central wall 21 of removable lid 7 comprisestwo curved portion 79 coplanar with portions 76 and 77.

[0054] Similarly, though not shown in FIG. 10, hinged lid 5 and collar 8have respective walls 27 and 30 comprising curved portions at respectivelateral walls 28 and 31.

[0055] Number 80 in FIG. 11 indicates a flat cardboard blank extendingalong a longitudinal axis X of symmetry and comprising a number ofpanels from which to form packet 74. For the sake of simplicity, and torelate blank 80 clearly to packet 74, each panel corresponding to a wallof packet 74 is indicated using the same reference number as for thewall, plus a (′), and the same reference numbers are used to indicateany parts similar to those of blank 34.

[0056] Blank 80 differs from blank 34 by being provided, at fold lines35, with adjacent incision lines 81 parallel to axis X and formingpanels 75′, 76′, 77′, 79′ and 82, which, when blank 80 is folded to formpacket 74, curve and correspond respectively to the curved portions ofrear wall 10, to bottom and top portions 76, 77 of curved portions 75 offront wall 9, to curved portions 79 of central wall 21 of removable lid7, and to the curved portions of the central wall of the hinged lid notshown in FIG. 10.

[0057] In a further variation, not shown, of packet 1, the front walland rear wall are connected to the lateral walls by curved portions withno edges and defined by incision lines in the blank; and the removablelid, hinged lid and collar also comprise curved portions connecting therespective central walls to the respective lateral walls.

[0058] Blanks 34, 69 and 80 have first panels to form container 4,second panels to form hinged lid 5, and third panels to form removablelid 7; the second and third panels are located on opposite sides; andthe second panels define a larger surface area than the third panels.

1) A rigid cigarette packet substantially in the form of a rightparallelepiped, extending along an axis (Z), and comprising a container(4) and a lid (5) hinged to said container (4) along a hinge (6); thecontainer (4) comprising four walls (9, 10, 11) parallel to the axis (Z)and forming a loop, a bottom wall (12) crosswise to the axis (Z), aninner compartment (14) for housing cigarettes (2), and an opening (15)for access to the compartment (14); at least one of the walls (9, 10,11) parallel to the axis (Z) comprising a free edge (18); the opening(15) extending between the hinge (6) and said free edge (18); and thepacket being characterized in that said container (4) comprises a topwall (13) crosswise to said axis; said hinge (6) extending on the wall(9, 10, 11) parallel to the axis (Z) and comprising said free edge (18).2) A packet as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said walls (9,10, 11) parallel to the axis (Z) comprise a front wall (9), a rear wall(10), and two lateral walls (11); said hinge (6) extending along thefront wall (9). 3) A packet as claimed in claim 2, characterized in thatsaid front wall (9) comprises a first portion (16) of front wall (9)adjacent to the bottom wall (12), and a second portion (17) of frontwall (9) at the top wall (13) and coplanar with the first portion (16);the first and the second portion (16, 17) of front wall (9) beingseparated by said opening (15). 4) A packet as claimed in claim 2,characterized in that said hinge (6) is crosswise to said axis (z). 5) Apacket as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said free edge (18)is parallel to said hinge (6) and extends the full width of the frontwall (9). 6) A packet as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5,characterized in that said opening (15) extends partly along the lateralwalls (11). 7) A packet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6,characterized in that the cigarettes (2) are arranged, inside saidcompartment (14), parallel to said axis (Z); and in that said bottom andtop walls (12, 13) are perpendicular to said axis (Z) and separated by adistance greater than the length of said cigarettes (2). 8) A packet asclaimed in claim 7, characterized in that said cigarettes (2) havefilters (33) located at the top wall (13). 9) A packet as claimed in anyone of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that said cigarettes (2) arehoused inside said compartment (14) and extend crosswise to said axis(Z) between the two lateral walls (11); said lateral walls (11) facingeach other and being parallel to each other and to the axis (Z). 10) Apacket as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in thatsaid hinged lid (5) comprises a central wall (27) rotating about saidhinge (6); and two lateral walls (28) perpendicular to the central wall(27) and parallel to the lateral walls (11) of the container (4). 11) Apacket as claimed in claim 10, characterized by comprising a collar (8)located inside said compartment (14) and having two lateral walls (31)located at respective lateral walls (11) of the container (4); eachlateral wall (28) of the hinged lid (5) being located between a lateralwall (31) of the collar (8) and a lateral wall (11) of the container(4). 12) A packet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterizedby comprising a removable lid (7) over said hinged lid (5). 13) A packetas claimed in claim 12, characterized in that said hinged lid (5) is thesupport for graphics and/or advertising. 14) A packet as claimed inclaim 12, characterized in that said removable lid (7) is connected tothe front wall (9) and to the lateral walls (11) of the container (4)along continuous tear lines (23, 24, 25, 26) forming an endless path.15) A packet as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that said tearlines (23, 24, 25, 26) comprise a first tear line (23) adjacent to saidhinge (6); and a second tear line (24) substantially coincident withsaid free edge (18). 16) A packet as claimed in claim 15, characterizedin that said opening is defined laterally by a further two edges (19,20) along each lateral wall (11) of the container (4); said further twoedges (19, 20) being substantially coincident with two tear lines (25,26). 17) A packet as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that saidremovable lid (7) comprises a central wall (21) substantially coplanarwith the front wall (9) and superimposed on the central wall (27) of thehinged lid (5). 18) A packet as claimed in claim 17, characterized inthat said removable lid (7) comprises two lateral walls (22)perpendicular to the central wall (21) of the removable lid (7) andcoplanar with the lateral walls (11) of the container (4). 19) A packetas claimed in claim 17 or 18, characterized by comprising bevels (64)connecting the front wall (9) and the rear wall (10) to the lateralwalls (11) of the container (4); said removable lid comprising twobevels (68) connecting the central wall (21) to the lateral walls (22)of the removable lid. 20) A packet as claimed in claim 17 or 18,characterized in that the front wall (9) and the rear wall (10) comprisecurved portions (75) at the lateral walls (11) of the container (4); thecentral wall (21) of the removable lid (7) comprising curved portions(79) at the lateral walls (22) of the removable lid (7). 21) A flatblank of cardboard from which to form a rigid cigarette packetcomprising a container (4), a hinged lid (5), and a removable lid (7)over the hinged lid (5); the blank comprising first panels (11′, 12′,13′, 16′, 17′, 57, 58, 59, 60; 11′, 12′, 13′, 16′, 17′, 57, 58, 59, 60,64′, 66′, 67′; 11′, 12′, 13′, 16′, 17′, 57, 58, 59, 60, 75′, 76′, 77′)for forming said container (4), second panels (27′, 28′, 56; 27′, 28′,56, 7′, 73; 27′, 28′, 56, 82) for forming said hinged lid (5), and thirdpanels (21′, 22′; 21′, 22′, 68′; 21′, 22′, 79′) for forming saidremovable lid (7); said third panels (21′, 22′; 21′, 22′, 68′; 21′, 22′,79′) being separated from said first panels (11′, 12′, 13′, 16′, 17′,57, 58, 59, 60; 11′, 12′, 13′, 16′, 17′, 57, 58, 59, 60, 64′, 66′, 67′;11′, 12′, 13′, 16′, 17′, 57, 58, 59, 60, 75′, 76′, 77′) by continuoustear lines (23, 24, 25, 26) forming an endless path. 22) A blank asclaimed in claim 21, characterized in that the second panels (27′, 28′,56; 27′, 28′, 56, 71′, 73; 27′, 28′, 56, 82) and the third panels (21′,22′; 21′, 22′, 68′; 21′, 22′, 79′) are located on opposite sides. 23) Ablank as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that the second panels(27′, 28′, 56; 27′, 28′, 56, 71, 73; 27′, 28′, 56, 82) define a largersurface area than the third panels (21′, 22′; 21′, 22′, 68′; 21′, 22′,79′).